Myth, busted: Formation of Namibia’s fairy circles isn’t due to termites
Plants are "ecosystem engineers" that survive by forming optimal geometric patterns. Enlarge / Drone image of car driving through the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the fairy-circle regions in Namibia. (credit: Stephan Getzin).....»»
CRISPR/Cas9 reveals a key gene involved in the evolution of coral skeleton formation
New work led by Carnegie's Phillip Cleves uses cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools to reveal a gene that's critical to stony corals' ability to build their reef architectures. It is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienc.....»»
Are fairy tales fair? AI helps find gender bias in children"s storybooks
Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have more in common than their origins as classic fairy tale figures and, now, part of Disney's famous roster of characters. Their fairy tales are also full of gender bias and stereotypes, according to liter.....»»
Researchers get primate embryos to start organ development in culture dishes
The start of organ development can help us understand human developmental problems. Enlarge / Computer-generated image of an early stage in embryonic development, before organ formation starts. (credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO.....»»
Study investigates causes of cation pattern formation, with implications for energy applications
A study led by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory could uncover new ways to produce more powerful, longer-lasting batteries and memory devices......»»
Novel in-situ pH measurement method for high-temperature hydrothermal systems
Alkaline hydrothermal systems are considered ideal environments for the origin of life because they can provide ideal ion gradient conditions for the formation of early life on Earth......»»
No A/C? No problem, if buildings copy networked tunnels of termite mounds
"For the first time, it may be possible to design a true living, breathing building.” Enlarge / Part of the system of reticulated tunnels (egress complex) of a mound of Macrotermes michaelseni termites from Namibia. (credit: D......»»
Astronomers discover a key planetary system for understanding formation mechanism of mysterious "super-Earths"
A study led by researchers of the University of Liège and the CSIC—using observations from NASA's TESS telescope—presents the detection of a system of two planets slightly larger than Earth orbiting a cold star in a synchronized dance. Named TOI.....»»
How plants use sugar to produce roots
Along with sugar reallocation, a basic molecular mechanism within plants controls the formation of new lateral roots. An international team of plant biologists has demonstrated that it is based on the activity of a certain factor, the target of rapam.....»»
Demystifying vortex rings in nuclear fusion and supernovae
Better understanding the formation of swirling, ring-shaped disturbances—known as vortex rings—could help nuclear fusion researchers compress fuel more efficiently, bringing it closer to becoming a viable energy source......»»
Image of darkness and light shows new stars being born in Lupus 3 nebula
A gorgeous new image of a nebular 500 light-years away gives a peek into the process of star formation......»»
A strange quark matter core likely exists in neutron stars
At the end of a star's life, nuclear fusion ceases, and the resulting pressure is no longer sufficient to counteract the gravitational force. This collapse can lead to the formation of neutron stars, which are composed of the densest matter in the un.....»»
Exploring the centromere and its role in the formation of new species
Centromeres, the DNA sections often found at the center of the chromosomes, display enormous interspecies diversity, despite having the same vital role during cell division across almost the entire tree of life. An international team of researchers h.....»»
James Webb"s "too massive" galaxies may be even more massive
The first results from the James Webb Space Telescope have hinted at galaxies so early and so massive that they are in tension with our understanding of the formation of structure in the universe. Various explanations have been proposed that may alle.....»»
Where to find all Great Fairies in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Looking for a fairy friend? If you need help tracking down all the Great Fairies in Tears of the Kingdom and want to know what they do, we've got you covered......»»
Basic "toolkit" for organ development is illuminated by sea star
One of the most basic and crucial embryonic processes to unfold in virtually every living organism is the formation of hollow, tubular structures of various kinds. These tubes may form blood vessels or a digestive tract, and through branching and dif.....»»
Researchers generate cattle blastoids in lab to aid farm animal reproduction
UT Southwestern Medical Center stem cell and developmental biologists and colleagues have developed a method to produce bovine blastoids, a crucial step in replicating embryo formation in the lab that could lead to the development of new reproductive.....»»
Behind the formation and protection of microtubules
Cellular life hinges on a network of hollow cables called microtubules dynamically lengthening and shortening according to the needs of the moment. During cell division, for instance, these cables latch onto chromosomes and retract—yanking chromoso.....»»
Study suggests catalyst for human brain evolution
More than a million years ago, large chunks of the human genome were rearranged—a chance event during egg or sperm formation that led to the deletion, duplication, or reversal of sections of DNA. Those structural variants, researchers have now disc.....»»
Ultra-thin metal-organic layers prevent ice crystal formation in novel cryoprotectants
Small amounts of nanometer-thin metal-organic layers efficiently protect red blood cells during freezing and thawing, as a team of researchers writing in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition has discovered. The nanolayers, made from me.....»»
VIPER and T-Rex on double rocket launch
Not one, but two rocket launches with ESA-led experiments are flying to the edge of space just a week apart, providing unique data to researchers eager to learn more about fundamental physics, semiconductor production, the formation of planets and ho.....»»